Austrian sculptor Carl Kauba was fascinated by the American West, creating dynamic cast bronze sculptures of cowboys, Native Americans and buffalo. Between 1895 and 1912, his polychrome pieces captured the attention of an American audience, while his domestic statutory work in Austria helped solidify his artistic reputation.
He was born the son of a shoemaker in 1865 in Vienna, Austria. He later studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna before learning from sculptor Karl Waschmann and sculptor and medallist Stefan Schwartz.
Although some accounts have Kauba traveling to the United States to create models and sketches, scholars have questioned the inaccuracies in his work’s weapon detailing and equestrian costumes. Kauba loved the Western tales of German author Karl May and was known to have a friend in Ohio who mailed him costume material, all of which may have provided his references for art.
Kauba’s bronze work is recognized as exceptional Viennese craftsmanship imbued with artistic intricacies and realism. His sculptures of cavalrymen, cowboys and Indigenous people from the American West put him in the same category as titans of American Western art like Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell.
Original Carl Kauba art experienced a resurgence in popularity during a 1950s advertising campaign for Latendorfer in New York. His works have remained prized by Wild West collectors everywhere.
Kauba’s art has been exhibited at many American art galleries, including the Thomas Nygard Gallery in Montana and the Ophir Gallery in New Jersey.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Carl Kauba decorative objects, collectibles and more.
H 44 in W 20 in D 20 in
Olympians Bronze Sculpture by Jef Lambeaux
Located in Houston, TX
Large sculpture in bronze of two Olympian wrestlers signed on the base Jef Lambeaux, a Belgian sculptor, born in Antwerp. Studied at the academy of fine arts in Antwerp. He showed a ...
Bronze
H 22 in W 14.25 in D 11 in
Nude Male Bronze Sculpture Fountain
Located in Malibu, CA
Bronze male sculpture signed. Fonderia Giorgio Sommer Calabritto Napoli Thomas, sculptor, lived and worked in the Naples area, and especially on Capri, from 1889 to 1906. Given this ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
H 31.5 in W 7.88 in D 11.82 in
Mid-20th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Hercules – 1950s
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive bronze sculpture depicting Hercules, finely cast and patinated in black, dating to the 1950s. The figure is portrayed in a powerful, dynamic pose, emphasizing strength and...
Bronze
H 24 in W 10 in D 9 in
Patinated Bronze Statue of Hercules
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive patinated bronze statue of Hercules. The statue is raised by a square Black Antique marble base. Above is the handsome patinated bronz...
Bronze
H 42.5 in W 19 in D 12 in
French 19th Century Paillard Bronze, ‘Abduction of A Sabine Woman' Signed
Located in New Orleans, LA
Gorgeous French 19th century bronze study of the Flemish sculptor and architect Giambologna's "Abduction of A Sabine Woman" signed V. Paillard. Victor Paillard, a 19th century bronzi...
Bronze
H 17 in W 7.5 in D 5.5 in
Italian Bronze Figure of Hercules, Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An expressive Italian bronze sculpture of Hercules, dating to the early 20th century and modeled after classical Greco-Roman prototypes. The hero is depicted in contrapposto, leaning...
Bronze
H 15.5 in W 7.5 in D 8.5 in
Vintage Boho Cast Bronze Milo of Croton Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a touch of bohemian elegance to your space with this Vintage Cast Bronze Sculpture of Milo of Croton. This exquisite piece captures the timeless beauty and strength of the ...
Bronze
H 24.02 in W 11.42 in D 8.67 in
Faun with Cymbals in Bronze Italy Late 19th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Bronze sculpture depicting faun with cymbals on red marble base.
Bronze
H 37.41 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
19th Century Italian large Bronze Statue by Ettore Ximines
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Italian large Bronze Statue by Ettore Ximines Ettore Ximines, Italy, 1855 (Palermo)-1926 (Rome) Man carrying woman on shoulderIn fabulous condition The patina of the s...
Bronze
Italian Bronze Figure of the Dancing Faun, After the Antique
Located in Kittery Point, ME
With right foot resting on a set of bellows and hands holding cymbals, on integrally cast circular plinth. The Hellenistic marble on which this bronze is based was moved from Rome to...
Bronze
Grand Tour Male Nude Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century bronze male nude sculpture on wood pedestal base.
Bronze
Roman Style Bronze Putti Fountain Statue
Located in Houston, TX
20th-century Roman-style bronze putti carrying a fish
Bronze
Femme Hermes Bronze Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
A contemporary post modern patinated bronze "Femme Hermes" sculpture, unsigned.
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Scholar Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
A late 19th-early 20th century gilt bronze scholar sculpture.
Bronze
Bruno Giorgi Bronze Sculpture
By Bruno Giorgi 1
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century bronze sculpture created and signed by the artist Bruno Giorgi (1905-1993). Sculpture is detachable from granite base. International Orders:...
Granite, Bronze
19th Century Narcissus Neoclassical Marble Statue on Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Italian Narcissus Neoclassical marble statue on pedestal. Carved Carrara marble figure (61"H x 21"W x 21"D) , gray marble pedestal (17"...
Marble
